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A child who is feeding poorly will often have other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition. Diagnosis of that condition is based on a family history, medical history, and thorough physical evaluation.
Your provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions like the following:
- How does the baby (child) eat normally?
- Has the diet been changed recently?
- Has the baby (child) always been a fussy eater?
- Is the feeding getting harder?
- Is there vomiting?
- Is there diarrhea?
- Is there an abnormal stool color?
- Is there abdominal pain?
- Is there abdominal cramping?
- Is there a sore throat?
- Is there a stiff neck?
- Is there a headache?
- Is there gagging or choking?
- Is there coughing?
- Are there other symptoms?
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Laboratory studies such as x-rays, gastrointestinal (GI) studies, and blood tests may be ordered to confirm the presence of a suspected disorder.
AFTER THE OFFICE VISIT
Although the provider maintains records on your baby, it is a good idea to maintain your own records of office visit findings, test results, and your own observations of your baby's health. You should add measurements that you do at home, such as height and weight.
Bring your records to the provider's attention if you notice any abnormalities, or if you have questions about your baby's development. If a diagnosis was made by your provider as the cause of poor feeding, you should note this diagnosis in your record.
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